In the wake of the foiled terrorist plots to explode passenger jets in midair, a White House official told an AFP reporter on Thursday, “Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big” as a political opportunity for the GOP. The AFP reporter was merciless in his reporting, noting that Bush & Co. have been tarring Democrats as soft on terrorism the past few days—knowing full well that news of the terror plot could break at any moment.

The National Journal just published the new salary list for Oval Office employees, and Think Progress deliciously singled out a few who definitely aren’t earning their money. For instance: Deborah Nirmala Misir, the ethics advisor, earns $114,688; Stuart Baker, director for lessons learned, earns $106,641.There’s a “director for lessons learned”? Where’s his office? A solitary confinement box at Guantanamo?